Public meeting on casino idea reignites old debate in Elmira

Slot machines

ELMIRA — The prospect of a casino has reignited a once-divisive debate in Woolwich Township.

On Tuesday night, council hosted its first public meeting on the idea of vying for a new gaming facility.

And for some of the roughly 65 people in attendance at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, it was déjà vu.

It’s a topic that polarized the town of Elmira more than a decade ago, one that ultimately saw the community lose its beloved raceway. The horse track packed up and moved to Elora, where the addition of slot machines at the new Grand River Raceway initially received a lukewarm reception from the Township of Centre Wellington.

The slots have since pumped more than $16 million directly into Centre Wellington coffers, thanks to a host municipality agreement, and have paid out more than $52 million in wages and benefits to raceway employees and $4 million to local vendors.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation officials say a similar financial windfall could come Woolwich’s way, should it land a new casino proposed for a geographic zone that includes Woolwich and Wilmot townships, Kitchener and Waterloo, a piece of Cambridge and part of Wellington County, including Elora.

But at what cost, critics asked Tuesday. The societal toll of problem gambling could be far greater, some fear.

“To see one family devastated, I don’t care how much money we bring in,” said Bob Allison of Elmira. “Zero people hurt in this community as a result of gambling is the right number.”

It’s one thing to crow about how much money a municipality stands to earn from hosting a casino, said Robert Musselman. It’s another to consider how much area residents lost to the slots in the first place.

“How many dollars leave the community for a few dollars back?” he asked.

Paul Kraemer argued that those recreational dollars will be spent somewhere.

“I’d like to spend my recreational dollars where Woolwich might get a little piece of it,” he said.

Sue Murdoch, a Grand River Raceway employee, told the audience that Woolwich has an opportunity to pursue a revenue stream that’s a win-win situation for residents and the municipality alike.

“There’s nothing but good relationships gained,” she said.

And although Woolwich councillors insisted that no decisions have been made — and promised a “broad consultation phase” — the clock is ticking. The OLG’s Jake Pastore said they’d like a decision on whether local municipalities are interested by the end of the year or early in 2013.

A survey will soon be distributed to Woolwich residents to solicit further input. Some residents want a greater role.

“To me, we should be holding a township vote, yea or nay, and let the majority speak,” said Janice Kenesky.

Cambridge has already rejected the casino idea. The Elora slots would close if a new casino opens elsewhere in the same gaming zone.